Serie del Caribe 2018: Cuba Takes the High Ground

From the desk of:  BEISBOL INVIERNO

Pool Play

CUBA   2-0

P.R.       1-0

 VEN      1-1

D.R.       0-1

MEX     0-2

Winter Leagues Tournament Preview

Round Robin: Day One

CUBA 6; VENEZUELA 4

In the tournament's opening game, Venezuela was forced into playing from behind throughout.  Cuba's Alazanes de Granma jumped out to an immediate 2-0 lead in the first.  But los Caribes de Anzoategui struck back with a run in the third, then tied the game on a solo home run from DH Luis Jimenez in the fourth.  Cuba reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth, then added two insurance runs in the seventh.  The teams then traded runs in the eighth, and Venezuela scored a run in the top of the ninth, but no more.  Granma took the game's opening contest by a 6-4 final.

PUERTO RICO 7; MEXICO 4

Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas began defense of their Serie del Caribe title with an opening victory over Mexico's Tomateros de Ciliacan.  Los Criollos jumped out to an early 3-1 lead through the top of the third.  However, Mexico answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, then took a 4-3 lead in the home fourth inning.  With two out in the top of the fifth, Criollos right fielder Anthony Garcia singled home the game's tying run.  Caguas then pulled away with three runs in the eighth.

Round Robin: Day Two

VENEZUELA 15; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 4

The Dominican Republic endured a rather forgetful debut in their tournament opener against Venezuela, as los Caribes de Anzoategui took out their opening game frustrations against los Aguilas Cibaenas in a romp.  Venezuela bats exploded for seven doubles, four home runs, and twenty hits overall, against lanzadores Dominicana.

CUBA 5; MEXICO 4

Make that two wins for Cuba, and two losses for Mexico.  Looking to bounce back after their opening day loss against Puerto Rico, Mexico jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead.  Not unexpectedly, Cuba responded with a pair of runs in the third.  But Mexico stormed back to regain the lead with a trio of runs in the top of the fourth.  However, the game would ultimately change on the arm of Cuban reliever Alain Sanchez.  In relief of Granma starter Yoanni Yera, Sanchez limited Mexico to just one earned run on four hits and no walks over five innings pitched.  As such, Cuba's Alazanes tied the game at four in the seventh, then scored what proved to be the winning run in the eighth.